Elite Seduction

My hands are shaking as I pull into the long, curved driveway leading up to the huge modern mansion. This is really happening - my mom has gotten remarried to a wealthy businessman named Robert, and now we're moving into his crazy big house. A fresh start for us after years of struggle, but I can't help feeling anxious.

"You ready for this, Zoe?" Mom gives me an excited smile from the passenger seat. She looks so happy, glowing in a way I haven't seen in a long time.

I try to return her smile, nodding as I put the car in park. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The front door swings open and Robert strides out, his arms spread wide. "There are my two favorite ladies! Welcome home."

Mom practically leaps out of the car to hug her new husband. I take a deep breath and get out too, grabbing my purse from the backseat. Robert pulls me into an embrace before I can protest.

"I'm so glad you and your mother are here, Zoe. This is going to be an awesome new chapter for all of us."

"Thanks...I mean, thank you. For everything," I mumble awkwardly. Robert seems nice enough, but I still barely know this guy who has become such a huge part of our lives so fast.

"Come on, let me show you both around!" Robert keeps an arm around each of us as we head inside.

The foyer is all gleaming marble with stylish modern furniture and architectural curves. It looks like a fancy hotel lobby. Robert points out the living room, the kitchen, the media room, listing off more rooms than I can keep track of. He laughs at my wide-eyed expression.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to the space. Why don't you kids go check out the backyard while I get the caterers set up? They're providing our welcome home dinner out by the pool."

"Sounds wonderful, honey!" Mom gives him a peck on the cheek before following me through the kitchen towards the back of the house.

We step outside and I freeze, stunned by the incredible scene before me. There's an enormous pool framed by a stone patio with sleek lounge chairs and a fully-stocked outdoor kitchen. Lush landscaping surrounds it, plants and trees I can't even name. A few structures that look suspiciously like little houses are off to the side.

"Holy shi...wow," I whisper under my breath.

Mom laughs at my amazed reaction. "It's like a luxury resort, isn't it? Go explore - I'm going to go help Robert with the caterers."

I wander away from the pool area in a daze, making my way towards the small building-like structures. As I get closer, I realize they are actually fancy cabana houses, maybe for guests or just outdoor lounging. Peeking inside one, I see lavish furnishings like a studio apartment - a plush couch, TV, mini kitchen, even a bathroom with shower. This whole setup is completely ridiculous.

"Well hello there."

I jump at the deep voice coming from right behind me. Whipping around, I'm confronted by the sight of a shirtless guy drying himself off with a towel. He has tanned, sculpted abdominal muscles that should be illegal. Messy dark hair falls over his forehead in a perfectly imperfect way.

"Oh! Um, hi...sorry, I was just looking around..." I stammer, unable to stop my gaze from wandering across his body.

"Relax, you're not trespassing or anything." He flashes me a smile revealing straight white teeth. "I'm Toni. Robert's son - which I guess makes me your new stepbrother."

My jaw drops as realization sets in - this Greek god special boy is the son of my stepfather whom he conveniently never mentioned before.

Toni chuckles at my gobsmacked reaction. "Sorry beautiful, I should have introduced myself properly." He tosses the towel aside and sticks out his hand. "I'm Toni. It's nice to meet you..."

"Z-Zoe," I force out, taking his warm hand automatically.

Toni's grin widens as our hands touch. "Well Zoe, welcome to paradise. I have a feeling things are about to get very interesting around here with you."

There's something about his tone and expression that makes me feel a shiver go down my spine - and not entirely in a bad way. But then I snap back to reality, jerking my hand free from his grip.

"Uh, yeah...thanks. I'm gonna go...bye!" I turn and scurry away as fast as I can without full-on running.

"Later sis!" Toni calls out in a bemused tone.

Once I'm a safe distance away, I lean against the side of the house, trying to catch my breath. What the hell was that? My new stepbrother is some ripped underwear model type who seems to be flirting with me within two seconds of meeting. This living situation just got a whole lot more complicated.

I wander back towards the pool, spotting Robert talking with a group of caterers in crisp white uniforms as they set up a long table filled with chafing dishes of food. My mom comes up and links her arm through mine.

"There you are! Did you have a chance to look around?" Her eyes are shining with happiness.

"Y-yeah, I bumped into Toni." Even saying his name, my face flushes a little at the memory of our encounter.

Mom's expression falls a bit. "Oh...I was hoping to get a chance to give you both a proper introduction before you met. I know this whole situation is a little...unorthodox."

"You think?" I try not to sound too snarky. "Did you know he's...you know...?" Words fail me as I picture Toni's muscular physique again.

She laughs lightly. "Your stepbrother is very fit and athletic, yes. He's the star of the water polo team at your new school."

My mom gives me a gentle shove. "And a total dreamboat from what I've heard from all the moms at the country club. Just be warned - apparently Toni has quite the reputation as a bit of a player, if you know what I mean."

I roll my eyes so hard it's practically audible. Great, not only is my new stepbrother insanely good-looking, he's also a manwhore from the sound of things. Fantastic. Just what this situation needed to get even more awkward.

"Come on, let's go eat. You'll get a chance to know Toni better - he's actually a really sweet boy once you get past his...confidence." She winks at me.

I can only nod numbly as we head over to the patio where Robert is eagerly waiting to welcome us to our new home. I try to push thoughts of Toni out of my head. But I can't quite shake the feeling that this whole situation is a ticking time bomb waiting to blow up in my face.

Dinner is some kind of fancy multi-course meal from the caterers, with dishes I can't even pronounce. Robert and my mom keep raving about how delicious everything is while making small talk. I mostly just push the food around my plate, unable to shake the mental image of Toni's glistening abs seared into my brain.

"Where is that son of mine? I swear, he has no concept of punctuality," Robert grumbles after the appetizer plates are cleared.

Right on cue, Toni emerges from one of the poolside cabanas, pulling a tight t-shirt down over his sculpted torso. He runs a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Sorry I'm late. Had a...friend over." His eyes meet mine briefly with a sly grin.

I feel my cheeks burning but quickly look away. A friend? Was that his way of saying he was just hooking up with some girl before dinner? Gross.

"Toni, you remember Zoe, my new stepdaughter?" Robert makes introductions, though we've clearly already met.

"How could I forget?" Toni sits down across from me, giving me an obvious once-over. "She already got a little tour earlier."

"Wonderful! Then you two can start getting better acquainted over the main course. Dig in, everyone!"

As servers bring out plates of fancy steak and sides, Robert launches into what sounds like a rehearsed welcoming speech.

"Sheila, Zoe, I'm just so thrilled to be joined together as one big happy family at last. I know this is a period of transition for all of us, but I have no doubt we're going to make amazing memories here together. It's a fresh start!"

He raises his glass of wine, gesturing for us to do the same in a toast. Toni winks at me as he clinks his glass against mine, making me want to chuck the whole thing at his stupid handsome face.

After dinner, Robert insists on breaking out some kind of obscenely expensive bottle of whiskey he's been saving.

"Come now, let's retire to the living room for a welcome nightcap!"

Mom and I exchange a look, silently communicating that we'd rather skip the booze and hard partying. She gently declines for both of us.

"If you don't mind, we're still just feeling a bit wiped from the move today. Maybe we'll turn in early and pick this up in the morning?"

"Of course, of course! Don't let me pressure you two," Robert backtracks at her polite dismissal. "Toni, my boy, keep your old man company for a drink?"

"You know I never refuse good scotch," Toni replies easily, already heading inside.

Mom and I make our way up the winding curved staircase to the upper floor. My new bedroom is just down the hall from the master suite she'll be sharing with Robert. Everything looks like some furniture showroom, all sleek and modern but still cozy.

"Well? What did you think of Toni?" Mom asks once we're alone.

"Do I really need to answer that?" I flop down on the plush bed, feeling exhausted already.

She sits next to me, patting my leg. "He's certainly...a handful. But you'll get used to your stepbrother's tendency to, ah, admire the female form. Just keep your distance if that side of him makes you uncomfortable."

"A handful? More like a lethal weapon if you ask me," I groan.

Mom throws her head back laughing at my dramatism. "Oh Zoe, try not to let him get under your skin so fast. I'm sure once the newness and tension wears off, you'll find a way to coexist peacefully."

Maybe she's right, I'm probably overreacting to my own flustered feelings about Toni. He's just a cocky, unlikeable fuckboy. Keeping my distance like she says will be no problem at all.

The next morning, I head downstairs to find the kitchen on my own. I'm grabbing a yogurt from the massive stainless steel refrigerator when Toni strolls in wearing just a pair of low-slung sweatpants.

"Morning, sis," he quips with a devilish grin. "Sleep well?"

I try not to stare at his tan, chiseled chest and abs on full display. What an obnoxious showoff.

"Uh, yeah. Hi. You're, um, up early," I manage to get out intelligibly.

Toni steps closer, invading my personal space as he leans against the counter beside me. "What can I say? I like to get an early start. Work up a sweat before most people are even awake."

His grey eyes rake over me in my sleep shorts and tank top, making me feel both flustered and angry.

"Can I help you with something?" I cross my arms over my chest self-consciously.

"Just taking in the view." Toni's eye contact is unnervingly intense. "You're even cuter in the morning. Adorably rumpled."

I scoff in disgust as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Is he serious with this? Hitting on me right to my face?

"You're disgusting, you know that? And shameless."

He lets out a low chuckle that makes my skin break out in goosebumps despite myself. "I'm a lot of things, babe."

I open my mouth to unleash a cutting retort when suddenly we're interrupted by my mom's voice.

"There you two are! Getting acquainted like I suggested?"

I jump back from Toni like I've been burned. He doesn't even have the decency to look embarrassed, that infuriating smirk still plastered across his face.

"You could say that," is all he offers with a shrug before brushing past me to leave the room.

"Jerk," I mutter under my breath, still red-faced.

Mom raises an eyebrow but doesn't pry further, for which I'm grateful.

Over the next couple weeks, I make it my mission to avoid Toni at all costs. If he's home, I steer clear and hide out in my bedroom. After the completely inappropriate flirting, there's no way I can be around him without wanting to slap that stupid grin off his face.

Instead, I try to settle into my new life by getting ready to start at the ultra-elite Westbrook Academy when classes begin in the fall. It's one of the most prestigious and expensive private schools in California, and Robert's money has easily secured me a spot there despite the late application.

As my first day approaches, I find myself growing more and more nervous. I'm an introvert at heart, and the idea of navigating the social hierarchy of a snobby rich kid school is daunting. At least I'll have a fresh start where no one knows me.

The morning of my first day, I wake up before my alarm. Wandering downstairs in a fresh outfit I spent way too much time picking out, I don't see Toni's stupid face anywhere which is a relief. Maybe today will be -

"Looking good, sis," a familiar voice rumbles from the kitchen.

I groan as Toni emerges holding a protein shake, dressed in athletic shorts and a thin tank top showing off his pecs and biceps. Why is he always half-naked?

"Don't call me that," I snap, ignoring the compliment that I know is just him being a creep again.

His eyebrows rise in mock hurt. "What? We are technically family now. Don't you wanna be closer with your dear stepbrother?"

I have to choke back vomit at the way his voice drips with suggestion on those last two words.

"You're literally the worst," I mutter, turning to storm out.

Toni steps into my path, looking at me with an intensity that makes me feel somehow pinned to the spot.

"Hey, relax. I'm just messing around," he says in a softer tone. "I know this whole situation is weird. But you look incredible, for real. Don't stress - the guys at Westbrook are gonna be lining up to worship you."

The genuine sincerity in his expression throws me for a loop. Did he actually just...give me a nice compliment? In a non-skeevy way?

Before I can respond, the blaring of a car horn sounds from outside. Toni cracks a grin.

"And that'll be my ride. Duty calls. Knock 'em dead today, Zoe." He gives me one last searing look before heading out.

I'm still standing there stunned when my mom comes fluttering down a few minutes later, kissing me on the cheek.